Acne is a genetic disease affecting the skin by a series of recurrent, infected breakouts. Classic acne blemishes include blackheads, milia, pimples and cysts. If you experience ongoing breakouts, you should seek help from a licensed skin care therapist, who may refer you to a dermatologist if the condition is sufficiently severe. With the numerous advances in skin care formulations, however, increasingly more people are combating their acne with regular facial treatments and complementary at-home regimens. Dermalogica's new Medicated Clearing System, developed by The International Dermal Institute, is truly the most comprehensive line of products and professional treatments available to help clear and prevent acne.
Excellent skin care and hygiene are vitally important to remove the excess oils and bacteria that stimulate acne. Dermalogica's products are non-greasy and completely water-soluble, making them ideal for breakout-prone skin. Always follow a strict regimen of thorough cleansing with tepid (not hot) water, followed with a conditioner and an oil-free moisturizer such as Dermalogica's Active Moist or Oil Control Lotion, since oily skin often becomes dehydrated. Increasing exfoliation with Gentle Cream Exfoliant and/or Skin Renewal Booster, as well as using a deeply-purifying Skin Refining Masque, aids the skin's natural elimination process, helping to reduce breakouts.
Dermalogica's Medicated Clearing Gel also helps to keep skin clear with revolutionary Alginated Zinc Triplex and Salicylic Acid to help regulate sebum (oil) production, remove follicle-clogging debris and kill acne bacteria. For an existing breakout, Special Clearing Booster provides unsurpassed clearing with highly-active Benzoyl Peroxide, while Anti-Bac Cooling Masque calms the skin and helps prevent future blemishes with Alginated Zinc Triplex and Menthol.
Stress and hormonal changes are the primary cause of the re-emergence of acne well after puberty. Recent studies indicate that 40 to 50 percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 40 are diagnosed with persistent, low-grade acne. Along with several lifestyle changes, including reducing one's stress level and improving one's diet, there are several products on the market designed to address these problems. Dermalogica's Oil Control System is a collection of three medicated, skin purifying formulations-a cleansing skin wash, purifying wipes and lotion-designed to control oil and to prevent breakouts and acne.
Research compiled at The International Dermal Institute reveals that several factors can make a person more susceptible to acne breakouts. People who are prone to breakout should only use products that are non-acnegenic or non-comedogenic. Many of these skin-sensitizing products contain ingredients such as lanolin, artificial fragrance and colours, S.D. alcohol or mineral oil which can clog and irritate the skin.
In addition, lifestyle changes can often improve your skin. Try to reduce stress, drink plenty of water and limit your intake of caffeine and cigarettes, which stimulate the adrenal glands to wreak havoc on the skin's natural processes. Moreover, people who are sensitive to iodine should avoid consuming foods high in iodine, such as seaweed or iodized salt, because it can lead to inflammation and breakout.
Acne vulgaris is the more common form of acne and is caused by clogging and inflammation of the skin's sebaceous and hair follicles. Acne rosacea, on the other hand, tends to affect an older person and is caused by the blood vessels of the face becoming inflamed and swollen. Skin can become permanently reddened and the nose can become swollen and bulbous. Acne rosacea, like acne vulgaris, is treatable. Speak to your skin care therapist for recommendations on treatment.
Men and women's skin are similar in structure, although men tend to have more hair and increased oil production. Men can certainly benefit from a professionally-recommended skin care regimen, not only to remedy shaving problems, but also to combat other problems frequently associated with men's skin. For example, because men tend to have oilier skin than women, they tend to have more blackheads and breakouts. A program of cleansing, exfoliation and moisturization will help prevent blemishes and keep the skin in optimum condition.
Many people prefer not to have a complicated skin care regimen, but realize that using a soap-and-water approach can damage and dehydrate the skin. Dermalogica recommends that you use Special Cleansing Gel, a soap-free, foaming skin wash, Multi-Active Toner, a rebalancing facial spritz, and Active Moist, a light, oil-free face lotion. This quick and efficient routine takes little time, and will leave your skin in its best condition.
Once you are comfortable with these three products for everyday use, consider the addition of an exfoliant like Skin Prep Scrub, which really helps with shaving preparation, and a deep-cleaning masque like Skin Refining Masque to help reduce breakouts and blackheads. And, of course, never venture into the sun without proper solar protection-a complete solar block from Dermalogica's Solar Defense System.
Many men suffer from ingrown hairs, which is often simply a result of improper shaving preparation. Before shaving, "power cleanse" with a mixture of a gentle scrub and foaming skin wash, or use a facial brush with face wash to exfoliate the skin and lift the hairs. Select a shaving product that provides a close shave while preventing nicks, cuts and redness. Follow with a light moisturizer and skin-calming Gentle Soothing Booster to freshen, soothe and rehydrate the skin, restoring its natural balance.
Professional Shave creates an invisible comfort barrier of moisture between the razor and the skin. Organic Silicones buffer the razor to prevent nicks, cuts and irritation while concentrated essential oils smooth and condition the skin during the shave. When used daily, it softens the hair, increases skin smoothness and reduces shave sensitivity. Its concentrated formula eliminates the need for messy shaving foams, creams and gels. It may be used with an electric or wet shaving system on any part of the body for complete shaving convenience.
Targeted skin care for unsurpassed results. Only available from your skin care therapist.
With Utopia Chalet's new Face Mapping™, your skin care therapist can.
The first, and most important, step in any skin care treatment is the analysis of your skin, which helps your skin care therapist design a skin care treatment that's completely personalized to your unique needs.
Well, prepare yourself, and your skin, for even better results with every visit! We're now incorporating Dermalogica's new concept in skin analysis, Face Mapping™, into every treatment, and our clients are already hooked.
This is how it works. Rather than simply relying on her eyes, your skin care therapist will scrutinize your skin, inch-by-inch, using both a magnifying lamp and her sense of touch. You see, while visual clues can help to identify existing problems, deeper congestion can only be determined by actually touching the skin.
Not only does this new method of analysis provide a much more accurate diagnosis of your skin concerns, it can actually help to detect them before they surface. Even better, you'll now leave your skin care treatment with your personalized Face Map™ that will show you where problems were found, and what products to use on those specific zones. This way, you're only applying products to the parts of your face that need them, making your regimen both more results-oriented and cost-efficient. Your skin care therapist will also keep a copy of your Face Map™ so that together you can chart your progress.
Did you know that your health is written all over your face? Chinese Diagnosis, one of the philosophies behind Face Mapping™, is based on the belief that the skin provides an outside view into the body's internal health. Of course, we've known all along that, if you're not well, your skin suffers. Now your skin care therapist can provide an even deeper view, delving into the "why" behind your skin concerns.
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1 & 3 Traditionally, this zone is regarded as the "sister" to the bladder and digestive system. If you break out frequently in this area, it might mean that you need to improve your elimination by drinking more water and eating more "whole" foods. |
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2 The middle of the forehead, between the eyebrows, is related to the liver. Congestion in this zone can indicate over consumption of alcohol, rich foods, and possibly a food allergy (such as lactose intolerance). |
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4 & 10 The ears are a highly sensitive area related to the kidneys. If you notice that your ears are very hot, you might be stressing them out – drink plenty of plain water and cut down on caffeine and alcohol. |
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5 & 9 The cheeks often give an accurate glimpse into any respiratory distress. Smokers or people suffering from allergies generally experience fine, broken capillaries or congestion in this area, which relates to lungs. |
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6 & 8 The eyes are truly a window to the body's health because they're related to the kidneys. Dark circles , while often hereditary, are made worse by dehydration and poor elimination. |
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7 A reddened nose can indicate heightened blood pressure, or the early stages of rosacea. Congestion around the upper lip can occur if you use comedogenic lipsticks or liners. |
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11 & 13 If you've had extensive dental surgery done, you might notice a breakout along the jaw line, near the ears. |
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12 Breakouts or unusual hair growth can indicate hormonal imbalance, possibly caused by extreme stress. Premenstrual breakouts are also very common on the chin, which is related to sexual health. |
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14 Don’t ignore the neck and upper chest when applying your sunscreen – this area is often one of the first to show premature aging |
Call and ask your Skin Care Therapist at Utopia Chalet (352) 378-7059